Cleaning instrument having a detachable handle provided with a cap



April 5, 1955 L. WILSON 2,705,336 CLEANING INSTRUMENT HAVING ADETACHABLE HANDLE PROVIDED WITH A CAP Filed Dec. 5, 1948 United StatesPatent CLEANING INSTRUMENT HAVING A DETACH- ABLE HANDLE PROVIDED WITH A.CAP

Ludwig Wilson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Illinois Duster & Brush (30.,Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois My invention relates to handlesor sticks for brushes, mops and like articles and particularly to areversible improved brush or mop handle and a removable end thimbleorcap that will fit over either end.

The invention has among its objects the production of an improved deviceof the kind described that is convenient, inexpensive, efficient, andwhich in an emergency provides a time saving repair, since in the eventof the fracture or breaking off of the threaded end which is adapted toengage the brush, mop or the like, the stick may be reversed in amoments time and without delay, annoyance and expense in locating orproviding a new stick. It provides a double life handle.

It also has a further object the production of a handle which may beconveniently and comfortably handled providing a cushion that is easy onthe sweepers hands, minimizing rubbing and blisters. It gives a firm,easy to handle grip that speeds up sweeping or mopping. Should the brushor mop handle be set or leaned against a wall or door, the same will notmar the wall or door. Further, in the event the free end of the handleis accidentally pushed in the face or body of a child or adult while thebrush is being used, the cushion grip provided by the crowned end of thecap will minimize the likelihood of injury.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosures herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters inclicate like orcorresponding parts:

. Fig. l is a sectional view of a brush provided with my improvedhandle;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view Fig. 3 is a sectional view and Fig. 4 is aview partly in elevation with the cap in section showing the cap appliedto an end of the handle when a portion of the threaded end has brokenoif.

As shown in Fig. l, 1 represents a handle or stick, as it is oftencalled, usually of wood and threaded at both ends, either of which isadapted for threaded engagement in a socket 5 of the brush, mop or thelike, by means of which the brush or mop may be easily manipulated. Inthe particular illustration of the invention shown, the back of thebrush 4 is provided with two threaded sockets so that the brush or mopmay be turned around and either socket utilized so as to equalize wearon the bristles.

The handle as shown in Fig. 2 is also provided with an outstanding screwthreaded neck 3 similar to threaded neck 2 at the opposite end, at whichend a cap or thimble 6 preferably of rubber or other resilient andyieldable material, may be removably placed. The cap or thimble 6, whichis crowned at its closed end, is provided with a tubular bore 7 of adiameter to closely fit the body of the stick or handle adjacent thejuncture with the threaded portion, and if desired the same may be provided with a shoulder at the juncture of the bore 7 and a reduced bore8. While it is primarily intended that the cap will closely fit and beretained on the handle by frictional engagement on the end portion 9 ofthe handle, depending upon the length of the threaded portion 3, thethreads may engage in the cap at the reduced porof the handle and cap 6;through the cap or thimble,

tion 8, increasing the holding thimble on the end of the handle.

In practice the threaded portion 2, which is shown engaged in one of thesockets 5 of the body -4 of the brush may break off (see Fig. 4). In.this instance it has heretofore been necessary to provide a new handlewith inconvenience, expense and delay in securing the new one. With thepresent invention the cap or thimble 6 may be readily removed fromeither end and the stick reversed, and the threaded outer end 3 turnedinto threaded engagement with the socket 5 in the body 4 of the brus Inthis instance the cap may be pushed on and applied over the brokenthreaded end 2' substantially as indicated in Fig. 4, so that when thestick is reversed the cap at the outer end when the handle is used willbe as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 or 4.

While I have shown a brush with a body 4 of wood with threaded sockets,it is obvious that any mop or brush with a coiled or metal threadedspring socket will engage either threaded end of the handle in the samemanner. Inasmuch as spring or metal threaded type sockets are in commonuse, it is considered unnecessary to illustrate a brush or mop with sucha type of socket.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new Patent is:

l. A cleaning instrument handle, comprising an elongated body and a capmember, said body having each of its ends provided with an axiallyoutstanding screwthreaded neck having a diameter less than thetransverse dimension of said body, and said cap member being adapted forapplication to the neck at either end of the body, said cap member beingformed of yieldable material and provided with an axial longitudinalbore closed at one end by a crown which provides a hand-contacting endfor the cap member, said bore having respective intercommunicatingportions of two diameters, with the portion of lesser diameter lyingadjacent to said crown and its wall being complemental to and adaptedfor frictional engagement with the screwthreads of either of said necks,and the portion of greater diameter extending through the end of the capopposite to said crown and being complemental to the transversedimension of the handle body and its wall being adapted for frictionalengagement with the portion or" said body adjacent to either of saidnecks.

2. A cleaning instrument including a handle provided with a cap member,and a cleaning head, said handle comprising an elongated body havingeach of its ends provided with an axially outstanding screwthreaded neckhaving a diameter less than the transverse dimension of the handle body,and said cleaning head having a screwthreaded socket adapted to receiveand engage either of said screwthreaded necks, said cap member beingadapted for application to the neck at either end of the body and beingformed of yieldable material and provided with an axial longitudinalbore closed at one end by a crown which provides a hand-contacting endfor the cap member, said bore having respective intercommunicatingportions of two diameters, with the portion of lesser diameter lyingadjacent to said crown and its wall being adapted for frictionalengagement with the screwthread of either of said necks, and the portionof greater diameter extending through the end of the cap opposite tosaid crown and being complemental to the transverse dimension of thehandle body and its wall being adapted for frictional engagement withthe portion of said body adjacent to either of said necks.

3. A cleaning instrument including a handle provided with a cap member,and a cleaning head, said handle comprising an elongated body havingeach of its ends provided with an axially outstanding neck having adiameter less than the transverse dimension of the handle body, and saidcleaning head having a socket adapted to power of the cap or and desireto secure by Letters receive and engage either of said necks, said capmember being adapted for application to the neck at either end of thebody and being formed of yieldable material and provided with an axiallongitudinal bore closed at one end by a crown which provides ahand-contacting end for the cap member, said bore having respectiveintercommunicating portions of two diameters, with the portion of lesserdiameter lying adjacent to said crown and its wall being complemental toand adapted for frictional engagement witheither of said necks, and theportion of greater diameter extending through the end of the capopposite to said crown and being complemental to the transversedimension of the handle 'body and its wall being adapted for frictionalengagement with the portion of said body adjacent to either of saidnecks.

References Cited'in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS LytleMar. 12, Latta Oct. 30, Johnston Jan. 30, Hubbard Aug. 12, Ham Apr. 4,Mountford Dec. 29, Malkin .Q. Feb. 8, Sommer Feb. 25, Phillips June 27,Evans Mar. 30, Ferguson May 8, McGuire Aug. 21,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 4,

(Addition to No. 522,210) Great Britain Mar. 13,

